Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted... but to weigh and consider.

It is in life as it is in ways, the shortest way is commonly the foulest, and surely the fairer way is not much about.

In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.

Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

The pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solomon.

For also knowledge itself is power.

Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see Fortune; for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Lies are sufficient to breed opinion, and opinion brings on substance.

It is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self.

Many a man's strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he grows out of use.

Next to religion, let your care be to promote justice.

Life, an age to the miserable, and a moment to the happy.

There is as much difference between the counsel that a friend giveth, and that a man giveth himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend and of a flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man's self.